Re: THE BEST CHEAP RECORDING SOLUTION

Title: Re: THE BEST CHEAP RECORDING SOLUTION Warning: this response is also a shameless plug to encourage list members to listen to my music. (all feedback welcome)

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I generally record directly into an MD recorder through a Behringer Eurorack mixer, and then master on a Roland VS 1680. I strongly recommend both types of tools if you’re not ready to make the jump to computer recording. Like Rick says, the mini Sony MD recorder/player is an awesome tool (sucks that they’ve jacked the price. I’ll be more careful not to abuse mine!) You can also get cool mini-stereos with built-in MD recorders in Japan—mine is an Onkyo, and it makes a great low-rent recording studio complete with monitoring.

I’m sure you can get a VS 880 or 1680 tres cheap nowadays. I’d go for the 1680. Get one with both effects cards, and you’ve got a good basic mobile recording studio.

If you want to check out some material that was recorded using these tools, there’s stuff on either of the websites listed below or try these selections:

- to hear a multitracked “studio” recording using the VS 1680 try “kaleidoscope” at http://www.envelopeproductions.com/sounds_page/or_sounds_page.html

- to hear the straight to MD/ VS 1680 results try “by satellite” or “laika” at http://www.envelopeproductions.com/ghost7_index/ghost7_music/ghost7_music.html or any of the live Orange material at http://www.envelopeproductions.com/sounds_page/or_sounds_page.html (Some of the live stuff is sonically a bit less than ideal due to funky rooms, bad mic placement, etc.)

“Without Theory” on http://cdbaby.com/ghost7 is also a good example of MD to VS 1680

I was heartbroken to have my Sony recording MD player break down,
irrevocably, on me recently.
I did almost my entire live looping CD with that machine.

I was also chagrined to find that Sony no longer offers an inexpensive
recording MD player (mine was
about $150 when I purchased it) and instead, cynically, only offers one for
about $300. Is there one on the market
in that cheaper range (sub $200)?

Anyway, I had a conversation with a musician here while back (who I can't
even remember) who swears by the
latest Mpeg format for recording. He said the fidelity is amazing.

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I am wondering: with all you experts on this list:

WHAT IS THE BEST LIVE RECORDING MEDIUM THAT IS INEXPENSIVE (please don't
say a laptop).
I mean, is there any elegant solution under $200?

as a subcategory for this thread, I'd also be curious what the distinction
is in fidelity between Mini Disc and
say, mp3s or other media.